The Tale of Matangi and Karnataka

Verse 1 (skanda.3.70.1)

।। रुद्र उवाच ।। शृणु स्कन्द महाप्राज्ञ ह्यद्भुतं यत्कृतं मया । धर्मारण्ये महादुष्टो दैत्यः कर्णाटकाभिधः ।

rudra uvāca śṛṇu skanda mahāprājña hyadbhutaṁ yatkṛtaṁ mayā dharmāraṇye mahāduṣṭo daityaḥ karṇāṭakābhidhaḥ

Rudra said: Listen, O most wise Skanda, to a wondrous deed I once performed. In Dharmaranya there was a most wicked demon named Karnataka.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.70.2)

निभृतं हि समागत्य दंपत्योर्विघ्नमाचरत् । तं दृष्ट्वा तद्भयाल्लोकः प्रदुद्राव निरन्तरम् ।

nibhṛtaṁ hi samāgatya daṁpatyorvighnamācarat taṁ dṛṣṭvā tadbhayāllokaḥ pradudrāva niraṁtaram

He would come stealthily and cause trouble for newly wedded couples. Seeing him, people would flee continually in terror.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.70.3)

त्यक्त्वा स्थानं गताः सर्वे वणिजो वाडवादयः । मातंगीरूपमास्थाय श्रीमात्रा त्वनया सुत ।

tyaktvā sthānaṁ gatāḥ sarve vaṇijo vāḍavādayaḥ mātaṁgīrūpamāsthāya śrīmātrā tvanayā suta

Merchants and brahmins alike all abandoned their homes and fled. Then, my son, this very Shrimata assumed the form of Matangi.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.70.4)

हतः कर्णाटको नाम राक्षसो द्विजघातकः । तदा सर्वेऽपि वै विप्रा हृष्टास्ते तेन कर्मणा ।

hataḥ karṇāṭako nāma rākṣaso dvijaghātakaḥ tadā sarve'pi vai viprā hṛṣṭāste tena karmaṇā

And she slew that rakshasa named Karnataka, the killer of brahmins. At this deed, all the brahmins were filled with joy.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.70.5)

स्तुवंति पूजयंति स्म वणिजो भक्तितत्पराः । वर्षेवर्षे प्रकुर्वंति श्रीमातापूजनं शुभम् ।

stuvaṁti pūjayaṁti sma vaṇijo bhaktitatparāḥ varṣevarṣe prakurvaṁti śrīmātāpūjanaṁ śubham

The devout merchants took to praising and worshipping her. Year after year they perform the auspicious worship of Shrimata.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.70.6)

शुभकार्येषु सर्वेषु प्रथमं पूजयेत्तु ताम् । न स विघ्नं प्रपश्येत तदाप्रभृति पुत्रक ।

śubhakāryeṣu sarveṣu prathamaṁ pūjayettu tām na sa vighnaṁ prapaśyeta tadāprabhṛti putraka

In every auspicious undertaking, she should be worshipped first; one who does so encounters no obstacle. My son, this custom has continued from that very time.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.70.7)

।। युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।। कोऽसौ दुष्टो महादैत्यः कस्मिन्वंशे समुद्भवः । किं किं तेन कृतं तात सर्वंं कथय सुव्रत ।

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca ko'sau duṣṭo mahādaityaḥ kasminvaṁśe samudbhavaḥ kiṁ kiṁ tena kṛtaṁ tāta sarvaṁ kathaya suvrata

Yudhishthira said: Who was that wicked great demon, and in what lineage was he born? O father, O one of noble vows, tell me everything he did.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.70.8)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि कर्णाटकविचेष्टितम् । देवानां दानवानां यो दुःसहो वीर्यदर्पितः ।

vyāsa uvāca śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi karṇāṭakaviceṣṭitam devānāṁ dānavānāṁ yo duḥsaho vīryadarpitaḥ

Vyasa said: Listen, O king, I shall relate the doings of Karnataka, who, swollen with pride in his own strength, was unbearable to gods and demons alike.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.70.9)

दुष्टकर्मा दुराचारो महाराष्ट्रो महाभुजः । जित्वा च सकलाँल्लोकांस्त्रैलोक्ये च गतागतः ।

duṣṭakarmā durācāro mahārāṣṭro mahābhujaḥ jitvā ca sakalāṁllokāṁstrailokye ca gatāgataḥ

He was evil in his deeds, corrupt in conduct, mighty and broad-armed, and having conquered every realm, he roamed freely throughout the three worlds.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.70.10)

यत्र देवाश्च ऋषयस्तत्र गत्वा महासुरः । छद्मना वा बलेनैव विघ्नं प्रकुरुते नृप ।

yatra devāśca ṛṣayastatra gatvā mahāsuraḥ chadmanā vā balenaiva vighnaṁ prakurute nṛpa

O king, wherever gods or sages were found, that great demon would go there and, whether by deceit or by sheer force, create disturbance.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.70.11)

न वेदाध्ययनं लोके भवेत्तस्य भयेन च । कुर्वते वाडवा देवा न च संध्याद्युपासनम् ।

na vedādhyayanaṁ loke bhavettasya bhayena ca kurvate vāḍavā devā na ca saṁdhyādyupāsanam

Because of the fear of him, no Vedic study could take place anywhere in the world. Brahmins would neither recite the Vedas nor perform the sandhya worship and other daily rites.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.70.12)

न क्रतुर्वर्तते तत्र न चैव सुरपूजनम् । देशेदेशे च सर्वत्र ग्रामेग्रामे पुरेपुरे ।

na kraturvartate tatra na caiva surapūjanam deśedeśe ca sarvatra grāmegrāme purepure

No sacrifice was performed there, nor any worship of the gods. In every land, in every village, in every city — everywhere it was the same.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.70.13)

तीर्थेतीर्थे च सर्वत्र विघ्नं प्रकुरुतेऽसुरः । परंतु शक्यते नैव धर्मारण्ये प्रवेशितुम् ।

tīrthetīrthe ca sarvatra vighnaṁ prakurute'suraḥ araṁtu śakyate naiva dharmāraṇye praveśitum

That demon caused disturbance at every single tirtha — yet he was never able to gain entry into Dharmaranya itself.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.70.14)

भयाच्छक्त्याश्च श्रीमातुर्दानवो विक्लवस्तदा । केनोपायेन तत्रैव गम्यते त्विति चिंतयन् ।

bhayācchaktyāśca śrīmāturdānavo viklavastadā kenopāyena tatraiva gamyate tviti ciṁtayan

Fearful of Shrimata's power, that demon grew agitated, and pondered by what means he might yet gain entrance there.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.70.15)

विघ्नं करिष्ये हि कथं ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम् । वेदाध्ययनकर्तॄणां यज्ञे कर्माधितिष्ठताम् ।

vighnaṁ kariṣye hi kathaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ mahātmanām vedādhyayanakartṝṇāṁ yajñe karmādhitiṣṭhatām

'How shall I create trouble for these great-souled brahmins,' he thought, 'who study the Vedas and remain engaged in sacrificial rites?'

Verse 16 (skanda.3.70.16)

वेदाध्ययनजं शब्दं श्रुत्वा दूरात्स दानवः । विव्यथे स यथा राजन्वज्राहत इव द्विपः ।

vedādhyayanajaṁ śabdaṁ śrutvā dūrātsa dānavaḥ vivyathe sa yathā rājanvajrāhata iva dvipaḥ

Hearing even from a distance the sound of Vedic recitation, that demon would writhe in agony, O king, like an elephant struck by a thunderbolt.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.70.17)

निःश्वासान्मुमुचे रोषाद्दंतैर्दंतांश्च घर्षयन् । दशमानो निजावोष्ठौ पेषयंश्च करावुभौ ।

niḥśvāsānmumuce roṣāddaṁtairdaṁtāṁśca gharṣayan daśamāno nijāvoṣṭhau peṣayaṁśca karāvubhau

He would let out furious sighs, grind his teeth against each other, bite his own lips, and wring both his hands in rage.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.70.18)

उन्मत्तवद्विचरत इतश्चेतश्च मारिष । सन्निपातस्य दोषेण यथा भवति मानवः ।

unmattavadvicarata itaścetaśca māriṣa sannipātasya doṣeṇa yathā bhavati mānavaḥ

O worthy sage, he would wander about here and there like a madman, just as a man afflicted by the delirium of fever.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.70.19)

तथैव दानवो घोरो धर्मारण्यसमीपगः । भ्रमते दहते चैव दूरादेव भयान्वितः ।

tathaiva dānavo ghoro dharmāraṇyasamīpagaḥ bhramate dahate caiva dūrādeva bhayānvitaḥ

In just this way, that terrible demon, drawing near to Dharmaranya, would wander about and burn within himself, held at bay by fear alone.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.70.20)

विवाहकाले विप्राणां रूपं कृत्वा द्विजन्मनः । तत्रागत्य दुराधर्षो नीत्वा दांपत्यमुत्तमम् ।

vivāhakāle viprāṇāṁ rūpaṁ kṛtvā dvijanmanaḥ tatrāgatya durādharṣo nītvā dāṁpatyamuttamam

At the time of a wedding, taking on the form of a brahmin, that formidable demon would come there and carry off the fine newlywed couple.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.70.21)

उत्पपात महीपृष्ठाद्गगने सोऽसुराधमः । स्वयं च रमते पापो द्वेषाज्जातिस्वभावतः ।

utpapāta mahīpṛṣṭhādgagane so'surādhamaḥ svayaṁ ca ramate pāpo dveṣājjātisvabhāvataḥ

That vile demon would fly up from the earth into the sky, and, wicked by his very inborn nature of hatred, he would indulge himself in sinful sport.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.70.22)

एवं च बहुशः सोऽथ धर्मारण्याच्च दंपती । गृहीत्वा कुरुते पापं देवानामपि दुःसहम् ।

evaṁ ca bahuśaḥ so'tha dharmāraṇyācca daṁpatī gṛhītvā kurute pāpaṁ devānāmapi duḥsaham

Time and again in this manner he would abduct couples from Dharmaranya and commit this sin, unbearable even to the gods.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.70.23)

विघ्नं करोति दुष्टोऽसौ दंपत्योः सततं भुवि । महाघोरतरं कर्म कुर्वंस्तस्मिन्पुरे वरे ।

vighnaṁ karoti duṣṭo'sau daṁpatyoḥ satataṁ bhuvi mahāghorataraṁ karma kurvaṁstasminpure vare

That wicked one continually created disturbance for couples upon that earth, in that excellent city, perpetrating deeds of the utmost horror.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.70.24)

तत्रोद्विग्ना द्विजाः सर्वे पलायंते दिशो दश । गताः सर्वे भूमिदेवा स्त्यक्त्वा स्थानं मनोरमम् ।

tatrodvignā dvijāḥ sarve palāyaṁte diśo daśa gatāḥ sarve bhūmidevā styaktvā sthānaṁ manoramam

There, all the brahmins, thrown into panic, fled in all ten directions. All the earthly gods abandoned that lovely place and departed.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.70.25)

यत्रयत्र महत्तीर्थं तत्रतत्र गता द्विजाः । उद्वसं तत्पुरं जातं तस्मिन्काले नृपोत्तम ।

yatrayatra mahattīrthaṁ tatratatra gatā dvijāḥ udvasaṁ tatpuraṁ jātaṁ tasminkāle nṛpottama

Wherever there was some other great tirtha, the brahmins went there. O best of kings, at that time, that city became utterly desolate.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.70.26)

न वेदाध्ययनं तत्र न च यज्ञः प्रवर्तते । मनुजास्तत्र तिष्ठंति न कर्णाटभयार्दिताः ।

na vedādhyayanaṁ tatra na ca yajñaḥ pravartate manujāstatra tiṣṭhaṁti na karṇāṭabhayārditāḥ

There, no Vedic study took place, nor did any sacrifice proceed. Afflicted by fear of Karnataka, no one remained to dwell there.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.70.27)

द्विजाः सर्वे ततो राजन्वणिजश्च महायशाः । एकत्र मिलिताः सर्वे वक्तुं मंत्रं यथोचितम् ।

dvijāḥ sarve tato rājanvaṇijaśca mahāyaśāḥ ekatra militāḥ sarve vaktuṁ maṁtraṁ yathocitam

Then, O king, all the brahmins and the highly renowned merchants gathered together to deliberate upon a fitting course of action.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.70.28)

कर्णाटस्य वधोपायं मंत्रयंति द्विजर्षभाः । विचार्यमाणे तैर्दैवाद्वाग्जाता चाशरीरिणी ।

karṇāṭasya vadhopāyaṁ maṁtrayaṁti dvijarṣabhāḥ vicāryamāṇe tairdaivādvāgjātā cāśarīriṇī

The foremost brahmins deliberated on a means to slay Karnataka. As they were still weighing the matter, by providence a disembodied voice arose.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.70.29)

आराधयत श्रीमातां सर्वदुःखापहारिणीम् । सर्वदैत्यक्षयकरीं सर्वोपद्रवनाशनीम् ।

ārādhayata śrīmātāṁ sarvaduḥkhāpahāriṇīm sarvadaityakṣayakarīṁ sarvopadravanāśinīm

'Worship Shrimata,' it said, 'the remover of every sorrow, the destroyer of every demon, the dispeller of every calamity.'

Verse 30 (skanda.3.70.30)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वाडवाः सर्वे हर्षव्याकुललोचनाः । श्रीमातां तु समागत्य गृहीत्वा बलिमुत्तमम् ।

tacchrutvā vāḍavāḥ sarve harṣavyākulalocanāḥ śrīmātāṁ tu samāgatya gṛhītvā balimuttamam

Hearing this, all the brahmins, their eyes brimming with joy, went to Shrimata, bringing with them a splendid offering.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.70.31)

मधु क्षीरं दधि घृतं शर्करा पञ्चधारया । धूपं दीपं तथा चैव चंदनं कुसुमानि च ।

madhu kṣīraṁ dadhi ghṛtaṁ śarkarā pañcadhārayā dhūpaṁ dīpaṁ tathā caiva caṁdanaṁ kusumāni ca

Honey, milk, curd, ghee, and sugar — the panchamrita of five streams — along with incense, lamps, sandalwood, and flowers —

Verse 32 (skanda.3.70.32)

फलानि विविधान्येव गृहीत्वा वाडवा नृप । धान्यं तु विविधं राजन्भक्तापूपा घृताचिताः ।

phalāni vividhānyeva gṛhītvā vāḍavā nṛpa dhānyaṁ tu vividhaṁ rājanbhaktāpūpā ghṛtācitāḥ

— and various fruits besides, O king, those brahmins also brought manifold grains, rice, and cakes soaked in ghee.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.70.33)

कुल्माषा वटकाश्चैव पायसं घृतमिश्रितम् । सोहालिका दीपिकाश्च सार्द्राश्च वटकास्तथा ।

kulmāṣā vaṭakāścaiva pāyasaṁ ghṛtamiśritam sohālikā dīpikāśca sārdrāśca vaṭakāstathā

— boiled legumes, fritters, milk-pudding mixed with ghee, sohalika cakes, lamp-shaped delicacies, and moist fritters as well —

Verse 34 (skanda.3.70.34)

राजिकाभिश्च संलिप्ता नवच्छिद्रसमन्विताः । चंद्रबिंबप्रतीकाशा मण्डकास्तत्र कल्पिताः ।

rājikābhiśca saṁliptā navacchidrasamanvitāḥ caṁdrabiṁbapratīkāśā maṇḍakāstatra kalpitāḥ

— coated with mustard seed, pierced with nine holes, and round flatbreads shaped like the orb of the moon, all were prepared there.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.70.35)

पञ्चामृतेन स्नपनं कृत्वा गन्धोदकेन च । धूपैर्दीपैश्च नैवेद्यैस्तोषयामासुरीश्वरीम् ।

pañcāmṛtena snapanaṁ kṛtvā gaṁdhodakena ca dhūpairdīpaiśca naivedyaistoṣayāmāsurīśvarīm

Having bathed her with the panchamrita and with scented water, they satisfied that goddess-ruler with incense, lamps, and food offerings.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.70.36)

नीराजनैः सकपूरैः पुष्पैर्दीपैः सुचंदनैः । श्रीमाता तोषिता राजन्सर्वोपद्रवनाशनी ।

nīrājanaiḥ sakapūraiḥ puṣpairdīpaiḥ sucaṁdanaiḥ śrīmātā toṣitā rājansarvopadravanāśinī

With camphor-lit arati, with flowers, lamps, and fine sandalwood — O king, Shrimata, the destroyer of every calamity, was thus made content.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.70.37)

श्रीमाता च जगन्माता ब्राह्मी सौम्या वरप्रदा । रूपत्रयं समास्थाय पालयेत्सा जगत्त्रयम् ।

śrīmātā ca jaganmātā brāhmī saumyā varapradā rūpatrayaṁ samāsthāya pālayetsā jagattrayam

Shrimata is the mother of the universe, the power of Brahma, gentle and a granter of boons; assuming a threefold form, she sustains the three worlds.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.70.38)

त्रयीरूपेण धर्मात्मन्रक्षते सत्यमंदिरम् । जितेद्रिया जितात्मानो मिलितास्ते द्विजोत्तमाः ।

trayīrūpeṇa dharmātmanrakṣate satyamaṁdiram jitedriyā jitātmāno militāste dvijottamāḥ

O righteous soul, in her threefold form she protects Satyamandira. Those foremost brahmins, having mastered their senses and their minds, gathered there together.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.70.39)

तैः सर्वेरर्चिता माता चंदनाद्येन तोषिता । स्तुतिमारेभिरे तत्र वाङ्मनःकायकर्मभिः । एकचित्तेन भावेन ब्रह्मपुत्र्याः पुरः स्थिताः ।

taiḥ sarverarcitā mātā caṁdanādyena toṣitā stutimārebhire tatra vāṅmanaḥkāyakarmabhiḥ ekacittena bhāvena brahmaputryāḥ puraḥ sthitāḥ

Worshipped by them all, and pleased with the sandalwood and other offerings, they began there to praise the Mother with word, mind, and body, standing before Brahma's daughter with single-pointed devotion.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.70.40)

।। विप्रा ऊचुः ।। नमस्ते ब्रह्मपुत्र्यास्तु नमस्ते ब्रह्मचारिणि । नमस्ते जगतां मातर्नमस्ते सर्वगे सदा ।

viprā ūcuḥ namaste brahmaputryāstu namaste brahmacāriṇi namaste jagatāṁ mātarnamaste sarvage sadā

The brahmins said: Salutations to you, daughter of Brahma. Salutations to you, eternal celibate. Salutations to you, mother of the worlds. Salutations to you always, all-pervading one.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.70.41)

क्षुन्निद्रा त्वं तृषा त्वं च क्रोधतंद्रादयस्तथा । त्वं शांतिस्त्वं रतिश्चैव त्वं जया विजया तथा ।

kṣunnidrā tvaṁ tṛṣā tvaṁ ca krodhataṁdrādayastathā tvaṁ śāṁtistvaṁ ratiścaiva tvaṁ jayā vijayā tathā

You are hunger, you are sleep, you are thirst, and you are anger and lethargy as well. You are peace, you are delight, and you are Jaya and Vijaya.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.70.42)

ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशाद्यैस्त्वं प्रपन्ना सुरेश्वरि । सावित्री श्रीरुमा चैव त्वं च माता व्यवस्थिता ।

brahmaviṣṇumaheśādyaistvaṁ prapannā sureśvari sāvitrī śrīrumā caiva tvaṁ ca mātā vyavasthitā

O ruler of the gods, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha, and the rest all take refuge in you. You are Savitri, Shri, and Uma, and you abide as the Mother herself.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.70.43)

ब्रह्मविष्णु सुरेशानास्त्वदाधारे व्यवस्थिताः । नमस्तुभ्यं जगन्मातर्धृतिपुष्टिस्वरूपिणि ।

brahmaviṣṇu sureśānāstvadādhāre vyavasthitāḥ namastubhyaṁ jaganmātardhṛtipuṣṭisvarūpiṇi

Brahma, Vishnu, and the ruler of the gods all rest upon you as their foundation. Salutations to you, mother of the world, the very embodiment of steadfastness and nourishment.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.70.44)

रतिः क्रोधा महामाया छाया ज्योतिःस्वरूपिणि । सृष्टि स्थित्यंतकृद्देवि कार्यकारणदा सदा ।

ratiḥ krodhā mahāmāyā chāyā jyotiḥsvarūpiṇi sṛṣṭi sthityaṁtakṛddevi kāryakāraṇadā sadā

You are passion, wrath, the great illusion, shadow, and light itself in form. O goddess, you create, sustain, and dissolve, and you are ever the giver of both cause and effect.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.70.45)

धरा तेजस्तथा वायुः सलिलाकाशमेव च । नमस्तेऽस्तु महाविद्ये महाज्ञानमयेऽनघे ।

dharā tejastathā vāyuḥ salilākāśameva ca namaste'stu mahāvidye mahājñānamaye'naghe

You are earth, fire, air, water, and space itself. Salutations to you, great wisdom, embodiment of great knowledge, sinless one.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.70.46)

ह्रींकारी देवरूपा त्वं क्लींकारी त्वं महाद्युते । आदिमध्यावसाना त्वं त्राहि चास्मान्महाभयात् ।

hrīṁkārī devarūpā tvaṁ klīṁkārī tvaṁ mahādyute ādimadhyāvasānā tvaṁ trāhi cāsmānmahābhayāt

You are the goddess embodied in the seed-syllable Hrim, O radiant one, and in the syllable Klim. You are the beginning, the middle, and the end — save us from this great terror.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.70.47)

महापापो हि दुष्टात्मा दैत्योऽयं बाधतेऽधुना । त्राणरूपा त्वमेका च अस्माकं कुलदेवता ।

mahāpāpo hi duṣṭātmā daityo'yaṁ bādhate'dhunā trāṇarūpā tvamekā ca asmākaṁ kuladevatā

This deeply sinful, evil-souled demon now torments us. You alone, in your form as protector, are our family deity.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.70.48)

त्राहित्राहि महादेवि रक्षरक्ष महेश्वरि । हनहन दानवं दुष्टं द्विजातीनां विघ्नकारकम् ।

trāhitrāhi mahādevi rakṣarakṣa maheśvari hanahana dānavaṁ duṣṭaṁ dvijātīnāṁ vighnakārakam

Save us, save us, O great goddess! Protect us, protect us, O great mistress! Slay, slay that wicked demon who brings such trouble upon the brahmins.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.70.49)

एवं स्तुता तदा देवी महामाया द्विजन्मभिः । कर्णाटस्य वधार्थाय द्विजातीनां हिताय च । प्रत्यक्षा साऽभवत्तत्र वरं ब्रूहीत्युवाच ह ।

evaṁ stutā tadā devī mahāmāyā dvijanmabhiḥ karṇāṭasya vadhārthāya dvijātīnāṁ hitāya ca pratyakṣā sā'bhavattatra varaṁ brūhītyuvāca ha

Thus praised by the brahmins, that goddess Mahamaya, for the slaying of Karnataka and for the good of the twice-born, manifested herself visibly there, and said, 'Ask for a boon.'

Verse 50 (skanda.3.70.50)

।। श्रीमातोवाच ।। केन वै त्रासिता विप्राः केन वोद्वेजिताः पुनः । तस्याहं कुपिता विप्रा नयिष्ये यमसादनम् ।

śrīmātovāca kena vai trāsitā viprāḥ kena vodvejitāḥ punaḥ tasyāhaṁ kupitā viprā nayiṣye yamasādanam

Shrimata said: Who has frightened the brahmins, and who has caused them such distress? O brahmins, I am enraged at him, and I shall send him to Yama's abode.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.70.51)

क्षीणायुषं नरं वित्त येन यूयं निपीडिताः । ददामि वो द्विजातिभ्यो यथेष्टं वक्तुमर्हथ ।

kṣīṇāyuṣaṁ naraṁ vitta yena yūyaṁ nipīḍitāḥ dadāmi vo dvijātibhyo yatheṣṭaṁ vaktumarhatha

Know that the man who has afflicted you now has his life-span already dwindled. O twice-born ones, I grant you a boon; you may ask for whatever you wish.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.70.52)

भक्त्या हि भवतां विप्राः करिष्ये नात्र संशयः ।

bhaktyā hi bhavatāṁ viprāḥ kariṣye nātra saṁśayaḥ

O brahmins, moved by your devotion, I shall surely do this — of that there is no doubt.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.70.53)

।। द्विजा ऊचुः ।। कर्णाटाख्यो महारौद्रो दानवो मदगर्वितः । विघ्नं प्रकुरुते नित्यं सत्यमंदिरवासिनाम् ।

dvijā ūcuḥ karṇāṭākhyo mahāraudro dānavo madagarvitaḥ vighnaṁ prakurute nityaṁ satyamaṁdiravāsinām

The brahmins said: The demon named Karnataka, most terrible and swollen with arrogance, continually causes trouble for the dwellers of Satyamandira.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.70.54)

ब्राह्मणान्सत्यशीलांश्च वेदाध्ययनतत्परान् । द्वेषाद्द्वेष्टि द्वेषणस्तान्नित्यमेव महामते । वेदविद्वेषणो दुष्टो घातयैनं महाद्युते ।

brāhmaṇānsatyaśīlāṁśca vedādhyayanatatparān dveṣāddveṣṭi dveṣaṇastānnityameva mahāmate vedavidveṣaṇo duṣṭo ghātayainaṁ mahādyute

O most wise one, filled with hatred, he perpetually despises those truthful brahmins devoted to Vedic study. O radiant one, he is a wicked hater of the Veda itself — slay him.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.70.55)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। तथेत्युक्त्वा तु सा देवी प्रहस्य कुलदेवता । वधोपायं विचिंत्यास्य भक्तानां रक्षणाय वै ।

vyāsa uvāca tathetyuktvā tu sā devī prahasya kuladevatā vadhopāyaṁ viciṁtyāsya bhaktānāṁ rakṣaṇāya vai

Vyasa said: Saying 'so be it,' and smiling, that family goddess set about devising a means to slay him, for the protection of her devotees.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.70.56)

ततः कोपपरा जाता श्रीमाता नृपसत्तम । कोपेन भृकुटीं कृत्वा रक्तनेत्रांतलोचनाम् ।

tataḥ kopaparā jātā śrīmātā nṛpasattama kopena bhṛkuṭīṁ kṛtvā raktanetrāṁtalocanām

O best of kings, Shrimata then became filled with fury; in anger she knitted her brows, and the corners of her eyes turned blood-red.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.70.57)

कोपेन महताऽऽविष्टा वसंती पावकं यथा । महाज्वाला मुखान्नेत्रान्नासाकर्णाच्च भारत ।

kopena mahatā'āviṣṭā vasaṁtī pāvakaṁ yathā mahājvālā mukhānnetrānnāsākarṇācca bhārata

O descendant of Bharata, possessed by tremendous fury, as though ablaze with fire, mighty flames began to pour from her mouth, eyes, nose, and ears.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.70.58)

तत्तेजसा समुद्भूता मातंगी कामरूपिणी । काली करालवदना दुर्दर्शवदनोज्ज्वला ।

tattejasā samudbhūtā mātaṁgī kāmarūpiṇī kālī karālavadanā durdarśavadanojjvalā

From that very radiance sprang Matangi, capable of taking any form at will — dark, fearsome-faced, terrible to behold, and blazing in countenance.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.70.59)

रक्तमाल्यांबरधरा मदाघूर्णितलोचना । न्यग्रोधस्य समीपे सा श्रीमाता संश्रिता तदा ।

raktamālyāṁbaradharā madāghūrṇitalocanā nyagrodhasya samīpe sā śrīmātā saṁśritā tadā

Wearing a garland of red flowers and red garments, her eyes rolling with intoxication, Shrimata then took her stand near a banyan tree.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.70.60)

अष्टादशभुजा सा तु शुभा माता सुशोभना । धनुर्बाणधरा देवी खड्गखेटकधारिणी ।

aṣṭādaśabhujā sā tu śubhā mātā suśobhanā dhanurbāṇadharā devī khaḍgakheṭakadhāriṇī

That auspicious, beautiful mother bore eighteen arms; she held a bow and arrows, and also carried a sword and shield.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.70.61)

कुठारं क्षुरिकां बिभ्रत्त्रिशूलं पानपात्रकम् । गदां सर्पं च परिघं पिनाकं चैव पाशकम् ।

kuṭhāraṁ kṣurikāṁ bibhrattriśūlaṁ pānapātrakam gadāṁ sarpaṁ ca parighaṁ pinākaṁ caiva pāśakam

She held an axe, a small knife, a trident, and a wine-cup; she also bore a mace, a serpent, an iron bar, the bow Pinaka, and a noose.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.70.62)

अक्षमालाधरा राजन्मद्यकुंभानुधारिणी । शक्तिं च मुशलं चोग्रं कर्तरीं खर्परं तथा ।

akṣamālādharā rājanmadyakuṁbhānudhāriṇī śaktiṁ ca muśalaṁ cograṁ kartarīṁ kharparaṁ tathā

O king, she bore a rosary and a jar of wine; she also carried a spear, a fearsome pestle, shears, and a skull-bowl.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.70.63)

कंटकाढ्यां च बदरीं बिभ्रती तु महानना । तत्राभवन्महायुद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् ।

kaṁṭakāḍhyāṁ ca badarīṁ bibhratī tu mahānanā tatrābhavanmahāyuddhaṁ tumulaṁ lomaharṣaṇam

That vast-faced goddess also bore a thorn-covered jujube branch. Then a tremendous, hair-raising battle broke out there.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.70.64)

मातंग्याः सह कर्णाटदानवेन नृपोत्तम ।

mātaṁgyāḥ saha karṇāṭadānavena nṛpottama

O best of kings, this battle was fought between Matangi and the demon Karnataka.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.70.65)

।। युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।। कथं युद्धं समभवत्कथं चैवापवर्तत । जितं केनैव धर्मज्ञ तन्ममाचक्ष्व मारिष ।

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca kathaṁ yuddhaṁ samabhavatkathaṁ caivāpavartata jitaṁ kenaiva dharmajña tanmamācakṣva māriṣa

Yudhishthira said: How did the battle unfold, how did it end, and who was victorious? O knower of dharma, O worthy sage, tell me this.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.70.66)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। एकदा शृणु राजेंद्र यज्जातं दैत्यसंगरे । तत्सर्वं कथयाम्याशु यथावृत्तं हि तत्पुरा ।

vyāsa uvāca ekadā śṛṇu rājeṁdra yajjātaṁ daityasaṁgare tatsarvaṁ kathayāmyāśu yathāvṛttaṁ hi tatpurā

Vyasa said: Listen, O king of kings, to what once occurred in that battle with the demon. I shall relate it all promptly, exactly as it unfolded long ago.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.70.67)

प्रणष्टयोषा ये विप्रा वणिजश्चैव भारत । चैत्रमासे तु संप्राप्ते धर्मारण्ये नृपोत्तम ।

praṇaṣṭayoṣā ye viprā vaṇijaścaiva bhārata caitramāse tu saṁprāpte dharmāraṇye nṛpottama

O descendant of Bharata, those brahmins and merchants whose wives had earlier been lost — O best of kings, when the month of Chaitra arrived, in Dharmaranya —

Verse 68 (skanda.3.70.68)

गौरीमुद्वाहयामासुर्विप्रास्ते संशितव्रताः । स्वस्थानं सुशुभं ज्ञात्वा तीर्थराजं तथोत्तमम् ।

gaurīmudvāhayāmāsurviprāste saṁśitavratāḥ svasthānaṁ suśubhaṁ jñātvā tīrtharājaṁ tathottamam

— those brahmins, keeping strict vows, were celebrating the wedding rite of Gauri, knowing well their own most auspicious place, that supreme king of tirthas.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.70.69)

विवाहं तत्र कुर्वंतो मिलितास्ते द्विजोत्तमाः । कोटिकन्याकुलं तत्र एकत्रासीन्महोत्सवे । धर्मारण्ये महाप्राज्ञ सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम् ।

vivāhaṁ tatra kurvaṁto militāste dvijottamāḥ koṭikanyākulaṁ tatra ekatrāsīnmahotsave dharmāraṇye mahāprājña satyaṁ satyaṁ vadāmyaham

Those foremost brahmins gathered there to perform weddings; a multitude of countless maidens was assembled together at that great festival in Dharmaranya. O most wise one, I speak the very truth, the truth.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.70.70)

चतुर्थ्यामपररात्रेऽभ्यंतरतोऽग्निमादधुः । आसनं ब्रह्मणे दत्त्वा अग्निं कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम् ।

caturthyāmapararātre'bhyaṁtarato'gnimādadhuḥ āsanaṁ brahmaṇe dattvā agniṁ kṛtvā pradakṣiṇam

In the latter half of the night of the fourth day, they kindled the sacred fire within, offering a seat to Brahma and circumambulating the fire.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.70.71)

स्थालीपाकं च कृत्वाथ कृत्वा वेदीः शुभास्तदा । चतुर्हस्ताः सकलशा नागपाश समन्विताः ।

sthālīpākaṁ ca kṛtvātha kṛtvā vedīḥ śubhāstadā caturhastāḥ sakalaśā nāgapāśa samanvitāḥ

Having prepared the sthalipaka offering and constructed the auspicious altars, four cubits wide, adorned with vessels and the serpent-cord, they were made ready.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.70.72)

वेदमंत्रेण शुभ्रेण मंत्रयंते ततो द्विजाः । चरतां दंपतीनां हि परिवेश्य यथोचितम् ।

vedamaṁtreṇa śubhreṇa maṁtrayaṁte tato dvijāḥ caratāṁ daṁpatīnāṁ hi pariveśya yathocitam

Then the brahmins, with pure Vedic mantras, chanted around the newly wedded couples as they moved through the rites, each attended to as was proper.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.70.73)

ब्रह्मणा सहितास्तत्र वाडवा स्ते सुहर्षिताः । कुर्वते वेदनिर्घोषं तारस्वरनिनादितम् ।

brahmaṇā sahitāstatra vāḍavā ste suharṣitāḥ kurvate vedanirghoṣaṁ tārasvaraninaditam

Along with Brahma, those brahmins, filled with great joy, raised a resounding chant of Vedic verses, echoing in a high and clear voice.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.70.74)

तेन शब्देन महता कृत्स्नमापूरितं नभः । तं श्रुत्वा दानवो घोरो वेदध्वनिं द्विजेरितम् ।

tena śabdena mahatā kṛtsnamāpūritaṁ nabhaḥ taṁ śrutvā dānavo ghoro vedadhvaniṁ dvijeritam

With that great sound, the entire sky was filled to overflowing. Hearing that Vedic resonance raised up by the brahmins, that terrible demon —

Verse 75 (skanda.3.70.75)

उत्पपातासनात्तूर्णं ससैन्यो गतचेतनः । धावतः सर्वभृत्यास्तं ये चान्ये तानुवाच सः ।

utpapātāsanāttūrṇaṁ sasainyo gatacetanaḥ dhāvataḥ sarvabhṛtyāstaṁ ye cānye tānuvāca saḥ

— along with his army, sprang up from his seat in bewildered alarm. As all his servants and others came rushing toward him, he spoke to them.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.70.76)

श्रूयतां कुत्र शब्दोऽयं वाडवानां समुत्थितः । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दैतेयाः सत्वरं ययुः ।

śrūyatāṁ kutra śabdo'yaṁ vāḍavānāṁ samutthitaḥ tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā daiteyāḥ satvaraṁ yayuḥ

'Listen — from where has this sound of the brahmins' chanting arisen?' Hearing his words, the demons went there at once.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.70.77)

विभ्रांतचेतसः सर्वे इतश्चेतश्च धाविताः । धर्मारण्ये गताः केचित्तत्र दृष्टा द्विजातयः ।

vibhrāṁtacetasaḥ sarve itaścetaśca dhāvitāḥ dharmāraṇye gatāḥ kecittatra dṛṣṭā dvijātayaḥ

All of them, their minds thrown into confusion, ran about here and there. Some reached Dharmaranya itself, and there beheld the twice-born ones.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.70.78)

उद्गिरंतो हि निगमान्विवाहसमये नृप । सर्वं निवेदयामासुः कर्णाटाय दुरात्मने ।

udgiraṁto hi nigamānvivāhasamaye nṛpa sarvaṁ nivedayāmāsuḥ karṇāṭāya durātmane

O king, seeing them uttering the Vedic verses at the time of the wedding, they reported everything back to the evil-souled Karnataka.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.70.79)

तच्छ्रुत्वा रक्तताम्राक्षो द्विजद्विट् कोपपूरितः । अभ्यधावन्महाभाग यत्र ते दंपती नृप ।

tacchrutvā raktatāmrākṣo dvijadviṭ kopapūritaḥ abhyadhāvanmahābhāga yatra te daṁpatī nṛpa

Hearing this, that hater of brahmins, his eyes turning blood-red, was filled with fury, and, O illustrious king, he rushed to the very spot where those newly wedded couples stood.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.70.80)

खमाश्रित्य तदा दैत्यमायां कुर्वन्स राक्षसः । अहरद्दंपती राजन्सर्वालंकारसंयुतान् ।

khamāśritya tadā daityamāyāṁ kurvansa rākṣasaḥ aharaddaṁpatī rājansarvālaṁkārasaṁyutān

Rising into the sky and working his demonic magic, that rakshasa, O king, carried off the couples, adorned as they were with every ornament.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.70.81)

ततस्ते वाडवाः सर्वे संगता भुवनेश्वरीम् । बुंबारवं प्रकुर्वाणास्त्राहित्राहीति चोचिरे ।

tataste vāḍavāḥ sarve saṁgatā bhuvaneśvarīm buṁbāravaṁ prakurvāṇāstrāhitrāhīti cocire

Then all those brahmins gathered before Bhuvaneshvari, and, raising a great outcry, called out, 'Save us, save us!'

Verse 82 (skanda.3.70.82)

तच्छ्रुत्वा विश्वजननी मातंगी भुवनेश्वरी । सिंहनादं प्रकुर्वाणा त्रिशूलवरधारिणी ।

tacchrutvā viśvajananī mātaṁgī bhuvaneśvarī siṁhanādaṁ prakurvāṇā triśūlavaradhāriṇī

Hearing this, Matangi, the mother of the universe, Bhuvaneshvari, bearing her excellent trident, let out a lion's roar.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.70.83)

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं देवीकर्णाटयोस्तथा । ऋषीणां पश्यतां तत्र वणिजां च द्विजन्मनाम् ।

tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṁ devīkarṇāṭayostathā ṛṣīṇāṁ paśyatāṁ tatra vaṇijāṁ ca dvijanmanām

Then a battle broke out between the goddess and Karnataka, in full view of the sages, the merchants, and the brahmins assembled there.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.70.84)

पश्यतामभवयुद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् । अस्त्रैश्चिच्छेद मातगी मदविह्वलितं रिपुम् ।

paśyatāmabhavayuddhaṁ tumulaṁ lomaharṣaṇam astraiścicceda mātaṁgī madavihvalitaṁ ripum

Before their very eyes, a tumultuous, hair-raising battle unfolded. Matangi, with her weapons, wounded that enemy, reeling in his own arrogance.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.70.85)

सोऽपि दैत्यस्ततस्तस्या बाणेनैकेन वक्षसि । असावपि त्रिशूलेन घातितः कश्मलं गतः ।

so'pi daityastatastasyā bāṇenaikena vakṣasi asāvapi triśūlena ghātitaḥ kaśmalaṁ gataḥ

That demon in turn struck her chest with a single arrow. But then he too, struck by her trident, fell into a swoon.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.70.86)

मुष्टिभिश्चैव तां देवीं सोऽपि ताडयतेऽसुरः । सोऽपि देव्या ततः शीघ्रं नागपाशेन यंत्रितः ।

muṣṭibhiścaiva tāṁ devīṁ so'pi tāḍayate'suraḥ so'pi devyā tataḥ śīghraṁ nāgapāśena yaṁtritaḥ

That demon also struck at the goddess with his fists. But she, in turn, swiftly bound him fast with her serpent-noose.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.70.87)

ततस्तेनैव दैत्येन गरुडास्त्रं समादधे । तया नारायणास्त्रं तु संदधे शरपातनम् ।

tatastenaiva daityena garuḍāstraṁ samādadhe tayā nārāyaṇāstraṁ tu saṁdadhe śarapātanam

Then that demon released the Garuda-weapon. In answer, she took up the Narayana-weapon, unleashing a shower of arrows.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.70.88)

एवमन्योन्यमाकृष्य युध्यमानौ जयेच्छया । ततः परिघमादाय आयसं दैत्यपुंगवः ।

evamanyonyamākṛṣya yudhyamānau jayecchayā tataḥ parighamādāya āyasaṁ daityapuṁgavaḥ

Thus the two of them, each drawing the other into combat, fought on with the desire for victory. Then that foremost of demons took up an iron mace-bar.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.70.89)

मातंगीं प्रति संकुद्धो जघान परवीरहा । देवी क्रुद्धा मुष्टिपातैश्चूर्णयामास दानवम् ।

mātaṁgīṁ prati saṁkuddho jaghāna paravīrahā devī kruddhā muṣṭipātaiścūrṇayāmāsa dānavam

Utterly enraged, that slayer of enemy heroes struck at Matangi. The furious goddess, with blows of her fists, pounded that demon to pieces.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.70.90)

तेन मुष्टिप्रहारेण मूर्च्छितो निपपात ह । ततस्तु सहसोत्थाय शक्तिं धृत्वा करे मुदा ।

tena muṣṭiprahāreṇa mūrcchito nipapāta ha tatastu sahasotthāya śaktiṁ dhṛtvā kare mudā

By that blow of her fist, he fell to the ground, senseless. But then, suddenly rising up again, he gladly seized a spear in his hand.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.70.91)

शतघ्नीं पातयामास तस्या उपरि दानवः । शक्तिं चिच्छेद सा देवी मातंगी च शुभानना ।

śataghnīṁ pātayāmāsa tasyā upari dānavaḥ śaktiṁ ciccheda sā devī mātaṁgī ca śubhānanā

That demon hurled a shataghni weapon down upon her. Matangi, the fair-faced goddess, cut that spear to pieces.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.70.92)

जहासोच्चैस्तु सा सुभ्रः शतघ्नीं वज्रसन्निभा । एवमन्योन्यशस्त्रौघैरर्दयंतौ परस्परम् ।

jahāsoccaistu sā subhraḥ śataghnīṁ vajrasannibhā evamanyonyaśastraughairardayaṁtau parasparam

That fair-browed goddess, radiant as a thunderbolt, laughed loudly at the shattered shataghni. Thus the two continued to assail one another with volleys of weapons.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.70.93)

ततस्त्रिशूलेन हतो हृदये निपपात ह । मूर्छां विहाय दैत्योऽसौ मायां कृत्वा च राक्षसीम् ।

tatastriśūlena hato hṛdaye nipapāta ha mūrcchāṁ vihāya daityo'sau māyāṁ kṛtvā ca rākṣasīm

Then, struck in the heart by her trident, he fell to the ground. Recovering from his swoon, that demon began to weave a rakshasa's magic.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.70.94)

पश्यतां तत्र तेषां तु अदृश्योऽभून्महासुरः । पपौ पानं ततो देवी जहासारुणलोचना ।

paśyatāṁ tatra teṣāṁ tu adṛśyo'bhūnmahāsuraḥ papau pānaṁ tato devī jahāsāruṇalocanā

Even as they watched, that great demon vanished from sight. Then the red-eyed goddess drank her wine and laughed.

Verse 95 (skanda.3.70.95)

सर्वत्रगं तं सा देवी त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे ।

sarvatragaṁ taṁ sā devī trailokye sacarācare

That goddess knew he could go anywhere at will, through all three worlds, moving and unmoving alike.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.70.96)

क्व पास्यस्तीति ब्रूते सा ब्रूहि त्वं सांप्रतं हि मे । कर्णाटक महादुष्ट एहि शीघ्रं हि युध्यताम् ।

kva pāsyastīti brūte sā brūhi tvaṁ sāṁprataṁ hi me karṇāṭaka mahāduṣṭa ehi śīghraṁ hi yudhyatām

She cried out: 'Where will you hide? Tell me now! O most wicked Karnataka, come out at once and let us fight!'

Verse 97 (skanda.3.70.97)

ततोऽभवन्महायुद्धं दारुणं च भयानकम् । पपौ देवी तु मैरेयं वधार्थं सुमहाबला ।

tato'bhavanmahāyuddhaṁ dāruṇaṁ ca bhayānakam papau devī tu maireyaṁ vadhārthaṁ sumahābalā

Then another dreadful and terrifying battle broke out. The mighty goddess drank the maireya wine, resolved on his destruction.

Verse 98 (skanda.3.70.98)

मातंगी च ततः क्रुद्धा वक्त्रे चिक्षेप दानवम् । ततोऽपि दानवो रौद्रो नासारंध्रेण निर्गतः ।

mātaṁgī ca tataḥ kruddhā vaktre cikṣepa dānavam tato'pi dānavo raudro nāsāraṁdhreṇa nirgataḥ

Then Matangi, in her fury, flung that demon into her mouth. Yet the terrible demon escaped out again through the passage of her nostril.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.70.99)

युध्यते स पुनर्दैत्यः कर्णाटो मदपूरितः । ततो देवी प्रकुपिता मातंगी मदपूरिता ।

yudhyate sa punardaityaḥ karṇāṭo madapūritaḥ tato devī prakupitā mātaṁgī madapūritā

That demon Karnataka, still filled with arrogance, resumed the fight. Then the goddess Matangi, herself flushed with wine and now utterly enraged —

Verse 100 (skanda.3.70.100)

दशनैर्मथयित्वा च चर्वयित्वा पुनःपुनः । शवास्थि मेदसा युक्तं मज्जामांसादिपूरितम् ।

daśanairmathayitvā ca carvayitvā punaḥpunaḥ śavāsthi medasā yuktaṁ majjāmāṁsādipūritam

— crushed him between her teeth, chewing him again and again, that body of his laced with bone and fat, filled with marrow and flesh —

Verse 101 (skanda.3.70.101)

नखरोमाभिसंयुक्तं प्रक्षिप्य चोदरेऽसुरम् । करेकेण मुखं रुद्धं करेणैकेन नासिकाम् ।

nakharomābhisaṁyuktaṁ prakṣipya codare'suram karekeṇa mukhaṁ ruddhaṁ kareṇaikena nāsikām

— nails, hair, and all, she thrust that demon into her own belly, then sealed her mouth with one hand and her nostrils with the other.

Verse 102 (skanda.3.70.102)

ततो महाबलो दैत्यः कर्णरंध्रेण निर्गतः । ततस्तया महादेव्या नाम चक्रे तदा भुवि ।

tato mahābalo daityaḥ karṇaraṁdhreṇa nirgataḥ tatastayā mahādevyā nāma cakre tadā bhuvi

Then that mighty demon escaped out through the passage of her ear. Then that great goddess bestowed upon him a name upon the earth.

Verse 103 (skanda.3.70.103)

कर्णरंध्रप्रसूतोऽयं कर्णाटेति विदुर्बुधाः । पुनर्युद्धार्थमायातो दैत्यो हि बलदर्पितः ।

karṇaraṁdhraprasūto'yaṁ karṇāṭeti vidurbudhāḥ punaryuddhārthamāyāto daityo hi baladarpitaḥ

'Born from the passage of the ear, he shall be called Karnata' — thus the wise came to know. That demon, still proud of his strength, came again to renew the battle.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.70.104)

गर्जमानोसुरस्तत्र सायुधो युधि संस्थितः । तं दृष्ट्वा दुःसहं दैत्यं विमृश्य च पुनः पुनः ।

garjamānosurastatra sāyudho yudhi saṁsthitaḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā duḥsahaṁ daityaṁ vimṛśya ca punaḥ punaḥ

That demon, roaring, stood his ground in battle, weapons in hand. Beholding that unbearable demon, and pondering again and again —

Verse 105 (skanda.3.70.105)

वधोपायं हि मातंगी चिंतयामास भारत । यदा चिंतयते देवी मातंगी मदपूरिता ।

vadhopāyaṁ hi mātaṁgī ciṁtayāmāsa bhārata yadā ciṁtayate devī mātaṁgī madapūritā

— O descendant of Bharata, Matangi began to devise a way to slay him at last. As the wine-flushed goddess Matangi sat pondering thus —

Verse 106 (skanda.3.70.106)

मायारूपं समास्थाय कर्णाटः कुसुमायुधः । गौरश्चांबुजपत्राक्षं स्तथा षोडशवार्षिकम् ।

māyārūpaṁ samāsthāya karṇāṭaḥ kusumāyudhaḥ gauraścāṁbujapatrākṣaṁ stathā ṣoḍaśavārṣikam

— Karnataka, meanwhile, assumed a magical form: fair-skinned like the god of love, with eyes like lotus petals, in the guise of a youth of sixteen years.

Verse 107 (skanda.3.70.107)

अभ्येत्य देवीं ब्रूते स्म मां त्वं वरय शोभने ।

abhyetya devīṁ brūte sma māṁ tvaṁ varaya śobhane

He approached the goddess and said: 'O lovely one, choose me as your husband.'

Verse 108 (skanda.3.70.108)

।। श्रीमातोवाच ।। साधु चेदं त्वया प्रोक्तं दैत्यराज सुनिश्चितम् । रूपेण सदृशो नान्यो विद्यते भुवनत्रये ।

śrīmātovāca sādhu cedaṁ tvayā proktaṁ daityarāja suniścitam rūpeṇa sadṛśo nānyo vidyate bhuvanatraye

Shrimata said: Well said, O king of demons, and truly so; in beauty there is none in the three worlds to equal you.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.70.109)

प्रतिज्ञा मे कृता पूर्वं श्रुता किमसुरोत्तमं । ममानुजा शुभा श्यामा विवाहे विप्र कांक्षिणी ।

pratijñā me kṛtā pūrvaṁ śrutā kimasurottamaṁ mamānujā śubhā śyāmā vivāhe vipra kāṁkṣiṇī

But, O foremost of asuras, have you heard of a vow I made long ago? My younger sister, the auspicious Shyamala, longs in marriage for a brahmin husband.

Verse 110 (skanda.3.70.110)

पित्रा मे स्थापिता दैत्य रक्षार्थं हि द्विजन्मनाम् । केवलं श्यामलांगी सा सर्वलोकहितावहा ।

pitrā me sthāpitā daitya rakṣārthaṁ hi dvijanmanām kevalaṁ śyāmalāṁgī sā sarvalokahitāvahā

O demon, my father established her solely for the protection of the twice-born; that dark-limbed one brings benefit to all the worlds.

Verse 111 (skanda.3.70.111)

न कश्चिद्वरयेत्कन्यामित्युक्त्वा स्थापिता तु सा । कथयाशु तव शुभं श्रुत्वोपायं कथं शुभम् ।

na kaścidvarayetkanyāmityuktvā sthāpitā tu sā kathayāśu tava śubhaṁ śrutvopāyaṁ kathaṁ śubham

'Let no one ever seek this maiden's hand' — with those very words was she established. Now let me tell you a fine plan; hear it and say whether it pleases you.

Verse 112 (skanda.3.70.112)

भगिनी मेऽस्ति दैत्येंद्र श्यामलाह्यपरिग्रहा । तवार्थं रक्षिता शूर तां च पूर्वेण चोद्वह ।

bhaginī me'sti daityeṁdra śyāmalāhyaparigrahā tavārthaṁ rakṣitā śūra tāṁ ca pūrveṇa codvaha

O lord of demons, I have a sister, Shyamala, who remains unwed; and truly, hero, she has been kept safe all along for you alone. Marry her first.

Verse 113 (skanda.3.70.113)

स पिता तां महावीर दास्यते वै शुभामिमाम् । गच्छ त्वं व्रियतां ह्येव श्यामला कोपसंयुता ।

sa pitā tāṁ mahāvīra dāsyate vai śubhāmimām gaccha tvaṁ vriyatāṁ hyeva śyāmalā kopasaṁyutā

O great hero, my father will surely give you this auspicious one. Go now, seek Shyamala's hand — even though she may be filled with anger.

Verse 114 (skanda.3.70.114)

ततः कर्णाटकः क्रुद्धो गृहीत्वा शक्तिमूर्जिताम् । अभ्यधावत दुष्टात्मा श्यामलानिधनेच्छया ।

tataḥ karṇāṭakaḥ kruddho gṛhītvā śaktimūrjitām abhyadhāvata duṣṭātmā śyāmalānidhanecchayā

Then Karnataka, in fury, seized a mighty spear, and, evil-souled, rushed toward Shyamala with the intent to slay her.

Verse 115 (skanda.3.70.115)

आगतं चासुरं दृष्ट्वा श्यामला सुमहामनाः । विवाहार्थं परं ज्ञात्वाऽभिप्रायं दुष्टचेतसः ।

āgataṁ cāsuraṁ dṛṣṭvā śyāmalā sumahāmanāḥ vivāhārthaṁ paraṁ jñātvā'bhiprāyaṁ duṣṭacetasaḥ

Seeing that demon approach, the noble-hearted Shyamala understood the true intent of that evil-minded one, disguised beneath the pretense of marriage.

Verse 116 (skanda.3.70.116)

महायुद्धमभूत्तत्र श्यामलाऽसुरवर्ययोः । मासत्रयं ततो राजंश्चाभवत्तुमुलं क्षितौ ।

mahāyuddhamabhūttatra śyāmalā'suravaryayoḥ māsatrayaṁ tato rājaṁścābhavattumulaṁ kṣitau

There a great battle broke out between Shyamala and that foremost of demons. O king, for three whole months a tumultuous war raged on across the earth.

Verse 117 (skanda.3.70.117)

माघे कृष्णतृतीयायां धर्मारण्ये महारणे । मध्याह्नसमये भूप कर्णाटाख्यो निपातितः ।

māghe kṛṣṇatṛtīyāyāṁ dharmāraṇye mahāraṇe madhyāhnasamaye bhūpa karṇāṭākhyo nipātitaḥ

On the third day of the dark fortnight of Magha, in that great battle at Dharmaranya, at the hour of midday, O king, the one named Karnataka was finally struck down.

Verse 118 (skanda.3.70.118)

कार्णाटिः पतितस्तत्र यत्र देव्या निपातितः । तच्छैल शृंगप्रतिमं पपात शिर उत्तमम् ।

kārṇāṭiḥ patitastatra yatra devyā nipātitaḥ tacchaila śṛṁgapratimaṁ papāta śira uttamam

There, where he was struck down by the goddess, that demon of Karnata fell; his massive head, huge as a mountain peak, crashed to the ground.

Verse 119 (skanda.3.70.119)

चचाल सकला पृथ्वी साब्धिद्वीपा सपर्वता । ततो विप्राः प्रहृष्टास्ते जय मातरुदैरयन् ।

cacāla sakalā pṛthvī sābdhidvīpā saparvatā tato viprāḥ prahṛṣṭāste jaya mātarudairayan

The entire earth, with its oceans, islands, and mountains, trembled violently. Then the brahmins, filled with great joy, raised up cries of 'Victory to the Mother!'

Verse 120 (skanda.3.70.120)

जगुर्गन्धर्वपतयो ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः । ततोत्सवं प्रकुर्वन्तो गीतं नृत्यं शुभप्रदम् ।

jagurgandharvapatayo nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ tatotsavaṁ prakurvaṁto gītaṁ nṛtyaṁ śubhapradam

The lords of the gandharvas broke into song, and the troupes of apsaras began to dance. Then, celebrating the occasion, they filled the air with auspicious song and dance.

Verse 121 (skanda.3.70.121)

पायसैर्वटकैश्चैव नैवेद्यैर्मोदकैस्तथा । तुष्टवुः शुभवाण्या ते स्थाने मोटेरके वरे ।

pāyasairvaṭakaiścaiva naivedyairmodakaistathā tuṣṭavuḥ śubhavāṇyā te sthāne moṭerake vare

With milk-pudding, fritters, food-offerings, and sweet modakas, and with auspicious words of praise, they satisfied the goddess in that excellent place called Moteraka.

Verse 122 (skanda.3.70.122)

श्रीमती पूजिता सा च सुतसौख्यधनप्रदा । महोत्सवे च संप्राप्ते मातंगीपूजनं हितम् ।

śrīmatī pūjitā sā ca sutasaukhyadhanapradā mahotsave ca saṁprāpte mātaṁgīpūjanaṁ hitam

That glorious goddess, the giver of offspring, happiness, and wealth, was worshipped there. Whenever a great festival arrives, the worship of Matangi is beneficial.

Verse 123 (skanda.3.70.123)

ये ऽर्चयंति स्थापयित्वा धनपुत्रार्थसिद्धये । सुखं कीर्तिं तथायुष्यं यशः पुण्यं समाप्नुयुः ।

ye'rcayaṁti sthāpayitvā dhanaputrārthasiddhaye sukhaṁ kīrtiṁ tathāyuṣyaṁ yaśaḥ puṇyaṁ samāpnuyuḥ

Those who install her image and worship her for the fulfillment of wealth, sons, and prosperity obtain happiness, fame, long life, glory, and merit.

Verse 124 (skanda.3.70.124)

व्याधयो नाशमायांति चादित्याद्या ग्रहाः शुभाः । भूतवेतालशाकिन्यो जंभाद्याः पीडयन्ति न ।

vyādhayo nāśamāyāṁti cādityādyā grahāḥ śubhāḥ bhūtavetālaśākinyo jaṁbhādyāḥ pīḍayaṁti na

Their diseases are destroyed, and the Sun and other planets become auspicious for them. Bhutas, vetalas, shakinis, and demons like Jambha never afflict them.

Verse 125 (skanda.3.70.125)

न जायते तथा क्वापि प्रेतादीनां प्रपीडनम् । ततो विप्राः प्रहृष्टाश्च स्तुतिं कर्तुं समुद्यताः ।

na jāyate tathā kvāpi pretādīnāṁ prapīḍanam tato viprāḥ prahṛṣṭāśca stutiṁ kartuṁ samudyatāḥ

Nor does any torment from wandering spirits or the like ever afflict them. Then the joyful brahmins made ready once more to offer praise.

Verse 126 (skanda.3.70.126)

श्रीमाता चैव शक्तीश्च मातंगीमस्तुवंस्तदा । श्यामलां च महादेवीं हर्षेण महतायुता ।

śrīmātā caiva śaktīśca mātaṁgīmastuvaṁstadā śyāmalāṁ ca mahādevīṁ harṣeṇa mahatāyutā

They then began to praise Shrimata, all the shaktis, and Matangi, and, filled with great rejoicing, praised also the great goddess Shyamala.

Verse 127 (skanda.3.70.127)

।। विप्रा ऊचुः ।। मातस्त्वमेवमस्माकं रक्षिका स्थानके भव । दंपतीनां हितार्थाय यथा नोद्विजते द्विजाः ।

viprā ūcuḥ mātastvamevamasmākaṁ rakṣikā sthānake bhava daṁpatīnāṁ hitārthāya yathā nodvijate dvijāḥ

The brahmins said: O Mother, remain thus forever the protectress of this our place, for the good of every wedded couple, so that the brahmins need never again be thrown into distress.

Verse 128 (skanda.3.70.128)

।। मातंग्युवाच ।। तुष्टाहं वो महाभागाः स्तवेनानेन वो द्विजाः । वरयध्वं वरं यद्वो मनसा समभीप्सितम् ।

mātaṁgyuvāca tuṣṭāhaṁ vo mahābhāgāḥ stavenānena vo dvijāḥ varayadhvaṁ varaṁ yadvo manasā samabhīpsitam

Matangi said: I am well pleased, O illustrious brahmins, by this hymn of yours. Ask for whatever boon your hearts truly desire.

Verse 129 (skanda.3.70.129)

।। ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः ।। दास्यामहे बलिं देवि यस्ते मनसि वर्तते । अस्माकं चैव दम्पत्यो रक्षार्थं त्वं स्थिरा भव ।

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ dāsyāmahe baliṁ devi yaste manasi vartate asmākaṁ caiva dampatyo rakṣārthaṁ tvaṁ sthirā bhava

The brahmins said: O goddess, we shall offer you whatever offering is in your heart's desire. Remain here forever, steadfast, for the protection of our newlywed couples.

Verse 130 (skanda.3.70.130)

।। देव्युवाच ।। स्वस्थाः संतु द्विजाः सर्वे न च पीडा भविष्यति । मयि स्थितायां दुर्धर्षा दैत्या येऽन्ये च राक्षसाः ।

devyuvāca svasthāḥ saṁtu dvijāḥ sarve na ca pīḍā bhaviṣyati mayi sthitāyāṁ durdharṣā daityā ye'nye ca rākṣasāḥ

The goddess said: Let all the brahmins remain at peace; no affliction shall ever touch them. As long as I abide here, formidable daityas, and other rakshasas —

Verse 131 (skanda.3.70.131)

शाकिनीभूतप्रेताश्च जंभाद्याश्च ग्रहास्तथा । शाकिन्यादिग्रहाश्चैव सर्पा व्याघ्रादयस्तथा ।

śākinībhūtapretāśca jaṁbhādyāśca grahāstathā śākinyādigrahāścaiva sarpā vyāghrādayastathā

— shakinis, bhutas, ghosts, the graha Jambha and his kind, other malefic grahas, serpents, and tigers —

Verse 132 (skanda.3.70.132)

पीडयिष्यंति न क्वापि स्थितायां मयि शासने । महोत्सवं यः कुरुते विवाहे समुपस्थिते ।

pīḍayiṣyaṁti na kvāpi sthitāyāṁ mayi śāsane mahotsavaṁ yaḥ kurute vivāhe samupasthite

— shall never afflict anyone anywhere, so long as I hold sway over this domain. Whoever celebrates a great festival when a wedding takes place —

Verse 133 (skanda.3.70.133)

दंपत्योश्च हितार्थं हि पूजयेन्मां सदा नरः । तस्याहं सकला बाधां नाशयिष्याम्यसंशयम् ।

daṁpatyośca hitārthaṁ hi pūjayenmāṁ sadā naraḥ tasyāhaṁ sakalā bādhāṁ nāśayiṣyāmyasaṁśayam

— and, for the good of the couple, ever worships me — I shall undoubtedly destroy every single obstacle in his path.

Verse 134 (skanda.3.70.134)

नाधयो व्याधयश्चैव न क्लेशो न च संभ्रमः । प्राप्यते परमं सौख्यं यशः पुण्यं धनं सदा । नाकाले मरणं तस्य वातपित्तादिकं नहि ।

nādhayo vyādhayaścaiva na kleśo na ca saṁbhramaḥ prāpyate paramaṁ saukhyaṁ yaśaḥ puṇyaṁ dhanaṁ sadā nākāle maraṇaṁ tasya vātapittādikaṁ nahi

He shall know neither mental anguish nor bodily disease, neither distress nor confusion. He shall forever obtain supreme happiness, fame, merit, and wealth. His death shall never come untimely, nor shall he suffer from disorders of wind, bile, and the like.

Verse 135 (skanda.3.70.135)

।। विप्रा ऊचुः ।। केन वा विधिना पूजा नैवेद्यं कीदृशं भवेत् । धूपं च कीदृशं मातः कथं पूजां प्रकल्पयेत् ।

viprā ūcuḥ kena vā vidhinā pūjā naivedyaṁ kīdṛśaṁ bhavet dhūpaṁ ca kīdṛśaṁ mātaḥ kathaṁ pūjāṁ prakalpayet

The brahmins said: By what rite should your worship be performed? What should the food-offering be like? What incense, O Mother? How should the worship be arranged?

Verse 136 (skanda.3.70.136)

।। श्रीदेव्युवाच ।। श्रूयतां मे वचो विप्रा पत्रे चैव हिरण्मये । लिखित्वा पूजयेद्यस्तु चिरायुर्दंपती भवेत् ।

śrīdevyuvāca śrūyatāṁ me vaco viprā patre caiva hiraṇmaye likhitvā pūjayedyastu cirāyurdaṁpatī bhavet

The blessed goddess said: Hear my words, O brahmins. Whoever draws my image upon a leaf of gold and worships it in this way — that couple shall enjoy a long life.

Verse 137 (skanda.3.70.137)

अथवा राजते पत्रे कांसपत्रेऽथवा पुनः । अष्टादशभुजा देवी चंदनेन विचर्चिता ।

athavā rājate patre kāṁsapatre'thavā punaḥ aṣṭādaśabhujā devī caṁdanena vicarcitā

Or upon a leaf of silver, or again upon one of bronze, the goddess with eighteen arms should be drawn and anointed with sandalwood.

Verse 138 (skanda.3.70.138)

शूर्पं शरैः करे श्वानं पद्मं तु परमं पुनः । कर्त्तरीं कारयेदेकां तूणीरं च धनूंषि च ।

śūrpaṁ śaraiḥ kare śvānaṁ padmaṁ tu paramaṁ punaḥ karttarīṁ kārayedekāṁ tūṇīraṁ ca dhanūṁṣi ca

In her hands should be depicted a winnowing basket, arrows, a dog, and one excellent lotus; along with these, a pair of shears, a quiver, and bows.

Verse 139 (skanda.3.70.139)

चर्म पाशं मुद्गरं च कांसालं तोमरं तथा । शंखं चक्रं गदां शुभ्रां मुशलं परिघं शुभम् ।

carma pāśaṁ mudgaraṁ ca kāṁsālaṁ tomaraṁ tathā śaṁkhaṁ cakraṁ gadāṁ śubhrāṁ muśalaṁ parighaṁ śubham

A shield, a noose, a hammer, a bronze vessel, a lance, a conch, a discus, a pale mace, a pestle, and an auspicious iron bar.

Verse 140 (skanda.3.70.140)

खट्वांगं बदरीं चैव अंकुशं च मनोरमम् । अष्टादशायुधैरेभिः संयुता भुवनेश्वरी ।

khaṭvāṁgaṁ badarīṁ caiva aṁkuśaṁ ca manoramam aṣṭādaśāyudhairebhiḥ saṁyutā bhuvaneśvarī

A skull-topped staff, a jujube branch, and a lovely goad — Bhuvaneshvari, adorned with these eighteen weapons, should be depicted thus.

Verse 141 (skanda.3.70.141)

लिखेत्सकुंडलां देवीं बाहुनूपुरभूषिताम् । केयूरमुक्तापद्मैश्च मुंडमालाभिरन्विताम् ।

likhetsakuṁḍalāṁ devīṁ bāhunūpurabhūṣitām keyūramuktāpadmaiśca muṁḍamālābhiranvitām

The goddess should be drawn wearing earrings, her arms adorned with anklets, decked with armlets, pearls, and lotuses, and garlanded with a chain of skulls.

Verse 142 (skanda.3.70.142)

मातृकाक्षरपरिवृतामंगुलीयकसंयुताम् । नानाभरणशोभाढ्यां लिखित्वा भुवनेश्वरीम् ।

mātṛkākṣaraparivṛtāmaṁgulīyakasaṁyutām nānābharaṇaśobhāḍhyāṁ likhitvā bhuvaneśvarīm

Surrounded by the letters of the alphabet, wearing rings on her fingers, resplendent with manifold ornaments — thus should Bhuvaneshvari be depicted.

Verse 143 (skanda.3.70.143)

मातंगीमिति विख्यातां प्रतिष्ठार्थं द्विजोत्तमाः । चन्दनेन च हृद्येन पुष्पैश्चैव प्रपूजयेत् ।

mātaṁgīmiti vikhyātāṁ pratiṣṭhārthaṁ dvijottamāḥ candanena ca hṛdyena puṣpaiścaiva prapūjayet

For the consecration of this goddess renowned as Matangi, O foremost of brahmins, she should be duly worshipped with delightful sandalwood and flowers.

Verse 144 (skanda.3.70.144)

यक्षकर्दममानीय मातंगीं पूजयेत्सुधीः । घृतेन बोधयेद्दीपं सप्तवर्तियुतं शुभम् ।

yakṣakardamamānīya mātaṁgīṁ pūjayetsudhīḥ ghṛtena bodhayeddīpaṁ saptavartiyutaṁ śubham

Bringing the fragrant yaksha-kardama paste, the wise devotee should worship Matangi, and light an auspicious lamp with seven wicks fed by ghee.

Verse 145 (skanda.3.70.145)

धूपयेद्गुग्गुलेनाथ साज्येनाति सुगंधिना । नालिकेरेण शुभ्रेण दद्यादर्घं च दंपती ।

dhūpayedguggulenātha sājyenāti sugaṁdhinā nālikereṇa śubhreṇa dadyādarghaṁ ca daṁpatī

Incense should be offered with fragrant guggulu mixed with ghee, and a water-offering, together with a pure white coconut, should be given by the couple.

Verse 146 (skanda.3.70.146)

प्रदक्षिणाः प्रकुर्वीत चतुरः सुमनोरमम् । वस्त्रांशुकं गुंठयित्वा अग्रे कृत्वा च दंपती ।

pradakṣiṇāḥ prakurvīta caturaḥ sumanoramam vastrāṁśukaṁ guṁṭhayitvā agre kṛtvā ca daṁpatī

Four graceful circumambulations should be performed. The couple, wrapped together in the folds of a single cloth, should be placed in front.

Verse 147 (skanda.3.70.147)

प्रोक्षिणीकृत्य मातंग्याः प्राश्य माध्वीकमुत्तमम् । गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषैर्मातंगीं पूजयेत्सुधीः ।

prokṣiṇīkṛtya mātaṁgyāḥ prāśya mādhvīkamuttamam gītavāditranirghoṣairmātaṁgīṁ pūjayetsudhīḥ

Having sprinkled consecrated water in Matangi's honor and offered a taste of fine honeyed wine, the wise devotee should worship Matangi amid the resounding of song and instrumental music.

Verse 148 (skanda.3.70.148)

सुवासिनीस्तु तद्रूपा मातंगीसंभवा इति । नृत्यंती दम्पती चाग्रे सर्वोपद्रवशांतये ।

suvāsinīstu tadrūpā mātaṁgīsaṁbhavā iti nṛtyaṁtī dampatī cāgre sarvopadravaśāṁtaye

Married women, regarded as manifestations of Matangi herself, should dance before the couple, for the pacification of every calamity.

Verse 149 (skanda.3.70.149)

नैवेद्यं विविधान्नेन अष्टादशविधं शुभम् । वटकापूपिकाः शुभ्राः क्षीरं शर्करया युतम् ।

naivedyaṁ vividhānnena aṣṭādaśavidhaṁ śubham vaṭakāpūpikāḥ śubhrāḥ kṣīraṁ śarkarayā yutam

The food-offering should consist of eighteen kinds of auspicious dishes made from various grains — pale fritters, sweet cakes, and milk mixed with sugar.

Verse 150 (skanda.3.70.150)

बल्लाकरं वरं यूपा क्षिप्तकुल्माषकं तथा । सोहालिका भिन्नवटा लाप्सिका पद्मचूर्णकम् ।

ballākaraṁ varaṁ yūpā kṣiptakulmāṣakaṁ tathā sohālikā bhinnavaṭā lāpsikā padmacūrṇakam

Ballakara, yupa cakes, boiled legumes, sohalika, broken fritters, lapsika, and a dish made of lotus-seed flour.

Verse 151 (skanda.3.70.151)

शैवेया विमलास्तत्र पर्पटाः शालकादयः । पूरणं तस्य मासस्य कुर्याच्छुभ्रं मनोरमम् ।

śaiveyā vimalāstatra parpaṭāḥ śālakādayaḥ pūraṇaṁ tasya māsasya kuryācchubhraṁ manoramam

Shaiveya cakes, pure and clean papadums, shalaka delicacies — and a pale, lovely stuffed flatbread of black-gram paste should also be prepared.

Verse 152 (skanda.3.70.152)

राजमाषाः सूपचिताः कल्पयेत्तत्र दंपती । फेणिका रोपिकास्तत्र कुर्याच्चैव मनोरमाः ।

rājamāṣāḥ sūpacitāḥ kalpayettatra daṁpatī phenikā ropikāstatra kuryāccaiva manoramāḥ

The couple should also prepare there a well-cooked kidney-bean broth, and lovely fenika and ropika sweets.

Verse 153 (skanda.3.70.153)

एतान्यष्टादशान्यानि पक्वान्नानि प्रकल्पयेत् । आज्यशर्करायुक्तानि युक्तानि शाकसंचयैः ।

etānyaṣṭādaśānyāni pakvānnāni prakalpayet ājyaśarkarāyuktāni yuktāni śākasaṁcayaiḥ

Thus these eighteen kinds of cooked delicacies should be prepared, enriched with ghee and sugar, and accompanied by an assortment of vegetables.

Verse 154 (skanda.3.70.154)

रात्रौ जागरणं कार्यं सुवासिनीं च पूजयेत् । मुखावलोकनं चाज्ये कुर्वीयातां च दम्पती ।

rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kāryaṁ suvāsinīṁ ca pūjayet mukhāvalokanaṁ cājye kurvīyātāṁ ca dampatī

A vigil should be kept through the night, and married women should be honored. The couple should gaze upon each other's reflection in a vessel of ghee.

Verse 155 (skanda.3.70.155)

परस्परं हि कुर्वीत उत्पातपरिशांतये । एवं विधं मयाख्यातं मातंगीपूजनं शुभम् ।

parasparaṁ hi kurvīta utpātapariśāṁtaye evaṁ vidhaṁ mayākhyātaṁ mātaṁgīpūjanaṁ śubham

This rite should be performed by both together, for the pacification of every calamity. Thus have I described to you the auspicious mode of worshipping Matangi.

Verse 156 (skanda.3.70.156)

न पूजयति यो मूढस्तस्य विप्रं करोति सा । दंपत्योर्मरणं चाथ धननाशं महाभयम् ।

na pūjayati yo mūḍhastasya vipraṁ karoti sā daṁpatyormaraṇaṁ cātha dhananāśaṁ mahābhayam

Whoever, in his folly, fails to perform this worship — for him she brings about the death of the couple, the loss of wealth, and great terror.

Verse 157 (skanda.3.70.157)

क्लेशं रोगं तथा वह्नेः प्रादुर्भावं प्रपश्यति । एतस्मात्कारणाद्विप्रा मातंगीं पूजयेत्सुधीः ।

kleśaṁ rogaṁ tathā vahneḥ prādurbhāvaṁ prapaśyati etasmātkāraṇādviprā mātaṁgīṁ pūjayetsudhīḥ

He will witness distress, disease, and even the outbreak of fire. For this very reason, O brahmins, the wise devotee should worship Matangi.

Verse 158 (skanda.3.70.158)

दंपतीनां च सर्वेषां द्विजातीनां च शासने । वणिजां च महादेवी निर्विघ्नं कुरुते सदा ।

daṁpatīnāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ dvijātīnāṁ ca śāsane vaṇijāṁ ca mahādevī nirvighnaṁ kurute sadā

That great goddess, within the bounds of her rule, ever grants freedom from obstacles to all couples, to the twice-born, and to merchants alike.

Verse 159 (skanda.3.70.159)

तथेति चैव तैरुक्ते पुनर्वचनमब्रवीत् । श्रूयतां ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे विवाहादिमहोत्सवम् ।

tatheti caiva tairukte punarvacanamabravīt śrūyatāṁ brāhmaṇāḥ sarve vivāhādimahotsavam

When they had said 'so be it,' she spoke yet again: Hear this, O all you brahmins, concerning the great festival of marriage and such occasions.

Verse 160 (skanda.3.70.160)

मदीयवचनं श्रुत्वा तथा कुरुत वै विधिम् । विवाहकाले संप्राप्ते दंपत्योः सौख्यहेतवे ।

madīyavacanaṁ śrutvā tathā kuruta vai vidhim vivāhakāle saṁprāpte daṁpatyoḥ saukhyahetave

Having heard my words, when the time of marriage arrives, perform this rite properly, for the sake of the couple's happiness.

Verse 161 (skanda.3.70.161)

निर्विघ्नार्थं तु कर्तव्यं निजैश्च सह सेवकैः । अंजनं नयने कुर्यात्सं बंधिनां व सर्वशः ।

nirvighnārthaṁ tu kartavyaṁ nijaiśca saha sevakaiḥ aṁjanaṁ nayane kuryātsaṁ baṁdhināṁ va sarvaśaḥ

For the sake of freedom from obstacles, this should be done together with one's own family and servants. Kohl should be applied to the eyes of all the relatives, without exception.

Verse 162 (skanda.3.70.162)

भ्रूमध्यात्तु प्रकर्त्तव्यमर्द्धचंद्रसमाकृति । बिंदुं तु कारयेद्विप्रास्तस्योपरि मनोहरम् ।

bhrūmadhyāttu prakarttavyamarddhacaṁdrasamākṛti biṁduṁ tu kārayedviprāstasyopari manoharam

Between the eyebrows a mark shaped like the crescent moon should be drawn, and, O brahmins, a lovely dot should be placed above it.

Verse 163 (skanda.3.70.163)

एवं कृते तदा विप्राः शांतिर्भवति नान्यथा । पुत्रवृद्धिकरं चैतत्तिलकं चार्द्धबिंबकम् । सर्वविघ्नहरं सर्वदौःस्थ्यव्याधिविनाशनम् ।

evaṁ kṛte tadā viprāḥ śāṁtirbhavati nānyathā putravṛddhikaraṁ caitattilakaṁ cārddhabiṁbakam sarvavighnaharaṁ sarvadauḥsthyavyādhivināśanam

Only when this is done, O brahmins, is peace attained — not otherwise. This crescent-marked tilaka fosters the increase of offspring, removes every obstacle, and destroys all affliction and disease.

Verse 164 (skanda.3.70.164)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। ततः शांताः प्रजाः सर्वा धर्मारण्ये नराधिप । प्रसादाच्चैव मातङ्ग्या देव्या वै सत्यमंदिरे ।

vyāsa uvāca tataḥ śāṁtāḥ prajāḥ sarvā dharmāraṇye narādhipa prasādāccaiva mātaṁgyā devyā vai satyamaṁdire

Vyasa said: O ruler of men, thereafter, by the grace of the goddess Matangi, all the people of Satyamandira in Dharmaranya were at peace.

Verse 165 (skanda.3.70.165)

ततो हृष्टहृदा विप्राः पुपूजुस्ते विधेः सुताम् । मातंग्याश्च प्रकर्त्तव्यं वर्षेवर्षे च पूजनम् ।

tato hṛṣṭahṛdā viprāḥ pupūjuste vidheḥ sutām mātaṁgyāśca prakarttavyaṁ varṣevarṣe ca pūjanam

Then the brahmins, their hearts filled with joy, worshipped that daughter of Brahma. The worship of Matangi should be performed year after year.

Verse 166 (skanda.3.70.166)

माघासिते तृतीयायां भक्ष्यभोज्यादिभिस्तथा । कर्णाटस्य तथोत्पत्तिः पुनर्जाता तु भूतले ।

māghāsite tṛtīyāyāṁ bhakṣyabhojyādibhistathā karṇāṭasya tathotpattiḥ punarjātā tu bhūtale

On the third day of the dark fortnight of Magha, this worship should be performed with foods and delicacies of every kind. And thus the origin of the (region called) Karnataka came to be, once more, upon this earth.

Verse 167 (skanda.3.70.167)

भयाच्चैव हि तत्स्थानं त्यक्त्वा याम्यमगात्ततः । गच्छमानस्तदा दैत्यो यक्ष्मरूपो ह्यभाषत ।

bhayāccaiva hi tatsthānaṁ tyaktvā yāmyamagāttataḥ gacchamānastadā daityo yakṣmarūpo hyabhāṣata

Out of fear, he abandoned that place and departed toward the southern direction. As he went, that demon, now taking the form of Yakshma (consumption), spoke thus.

Verse 168 (skanda.3.70.168)

श्रूयतां भो द्विजाः सर्वे धर्मारण्यनिवासिनः । वणिजश्च महच्चेदं मद्वाक्यं परिपाल्यताम् ।

śrūyatāṁ bho dvijāḥ sarve dharmāraṇyanivāsinaḥ vaṇijaśca mahaccedaṁ madvākyaṁ paripālyatām

'Listen, O all you brahmins and merchants dwelling in Dharmaranya! Heed and follow this important word of mine.'

Verse 169 (skanda.3.70.169)

माघमासे हि मत्प्रीत्या निर्विघ्नार्थं सदा भुवि । त्रिदलेन च धान्येन मूलकेन विशेषतः ।

māghamāse hi matprītyā nirvighnārthaṁ sadā bhuvi tridalena ca dhānyena mūlakena viśeṣataḥ

'In the month of Magha, for my pleasure, and for freedom from obstacles upon this earth forever, with trifoliate leaves, with grain, and especially with radish —'

Verse 170 (skanda.3.70.170)

तिल तैलेन वा कुर्यात्पुरुषो नियतव्रतः । एकाशनं हि कुरुते यक्ष्मप्रीत्यै निरंतरम् ।

tila tailena vā kuryātpuruṣo niyatavrataḥ ekāśanaṁ hi kurute yakṣmaprītyai niraṁtaram

'— or with sesame oil, let a man observing a fixed vow eat but a single meal a day; this should be done continually, for the pleasure of Yakshma.'

Verse 171 (skanda.3.70.171)

आबालयौवनेनैव वृद्धेनापीह सर्वदा । वर्षेवर्षे प्रकर्त्तव्यं यक्ष्मणो व्रतमुत्तमम् ।

ābālayauvanenaiva vṛddhenāpīha sarvadā varṣevarṣe prakarttavyaṁ yakṣmaṇo vratamuttamam

'From childhood through youth, and even in old age, this excellent vow to Yakshma should be observed every single year.'

Verse 172 (skanda.3.70.172)

यस्मिन्गृहे हि यावच्च पुरुषाकाररूपिणः । तस्याह्वयं प्रकुर्युस्त एकभक्तरताः सदा ।

yasmingṛhe hi yāvacca puruṣākārarūpiṇaḥ tasyāhvayaṁ prakuryusta ekabhaktaratāḥ sadā

'In whatever household there are men of any number, all of them should always keep to a single meal a day and invoke his name.'

Verse 173 (skanda.3.70.173)

बालस्यार्थे तु जननी कुरुते व्रतमुत्तमम् । पिता वाप्यथवा भ्राता यन्निमित्तं व्रतं चरेत् ।

bālasyārthe tu jananī kurute vratamuttamam pitā vāpyathavā bhrātā yannimittaṁ vrataṁ caret

'For a child's sake, the mother observes this excellent vow; the father or the brother too may keep this vow on the child's behalf.'

Verse 174 (skanda.3.70.174)

न च तस्य भयं क्वापि न व्याधिर्न च बंधनम् । भर्तुर्निमित्ते स्त्री कुर्यादशक्ते त्वितरेण च ।

na ca tasya bhayaṁ kvāpi na vyādhirna ca baṁdhanam bharturnimitte strī kuryādaśakte tvitareṇa ca

'That child shall have no fear anywhere, nor disease, nor confinement. If the husband is unable, the wife should keep this vow on his behalf, or another may do so instead.'

Verse 175 (skanda.3.70.175)

एवं समादिशन्दैत्यः सत्यमंदिरमुत्सृजन् । गतोऽसौ याम्यदिग्भाग उदधेस्तीर उत्तमे ।

evaṁ samādiśandaityaḥ satyamaṁdiramutsṛjan gato'sau yāmyadigbhāga udadhestīra uttame

Having given these instructions, that demon abandoned Satyamandira and departed toward the southern direction, to an excellent shore of the ocean.

Verse 176 (skanda.3.70.176)

विपुलं देहमासाद्य कर्णाटः स नराधिप । स्वनाम्ना चैव तं देशं स्थापयामास चोत्तमम् ।

vipulaṁ dehamāsādya karṇāṭaḥ sa narādhipa svanāmnā caiva taṁ deśaṁ sthāpayāmāsa cottamam

O ruler of men, that Karnataka, assuming a vast body, settled there, and established that excellent land, naming it after himself.

Verse 177 (skanda.3.70.177)

यस्मिंश्च सर्ववस्तूनि धनधान्यानि भूरिशः । कर्णाटदेशं तं राजन्परिवार्य चिरं स्थितः ।

yasmiṁśca sarvavastūni dhanadhānyāni bhūriśaḥ karṇāṭadeśaṁ taṁ rājanparivārya ciraṁ sthitaḥ

O king, in that land where every good thing abounds, and wealth and grain in great plenty, he settled and remained for a very long time, encompassing the whole region of Karnata.

Verse 178 (skanda.3.70.178)

धर्मारण्यकथां पुण्यां कथितां नरसत्तम । श्रीमातुश्चैव माहात्म्यं शृण्वंति श्रावयंति ये ।

dharmāraṇyakathāṁ puṇyāṁ kathitāṁ narasattama śrīmātuścaiva māhātmyaṁ śṛṇvaṁti śrāvayaṁti ye

O best of men, those who hear and recount to others this sacred tale of Dharmaranya and the glory of Shrimata —

Verse 179 (skanda.3.70.179)

तेषां कुले कदाचित्तु अरिष्टं नैव जायते । अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रान्धनहीनस्तु संपदः । आयुरारोग्यमैश्वर्यं श्रीमातुश्च प्रसादतः ।

teṣāṁ kule kadācittu ariṣṭaṁ naiva jāyate aputro labhate putrāndhanahīnastu saṁpadaḥ āyurārogyamaiśvaryaṁ śrīmātuśca prasādataḥ

— in their family, misfortune never occurs at any time. The childless obtain children, the destitute obtain wealth, and through Shrimata's grace, long life, health, and prosperity are all attained.